The Hawks are twin-engine helicopters produced by Sikorsky that
have been widely used by the United States military. This has
resulted in many designations.
The UH-60 Black Hawk was fielded by the
Army in 1979. It is the front-line utility
helicopter and is used for air assault, air cavalry, and
aeromedical evacuation units. It is designed to carry 11
combat-loaded, air assault troops, a 105-millimeter howitzer and
30 rounds of ammunition. First deployed in 1978, the Black
Hawk’s advanced technology makes it easy to maintain in the
field. The Black Hawk has performed admirably in a variety of
missions, including air assault and air cavalry and aeromedical
evacuations. In addition, modified Black Hawks operate as
command and control, electronic warfare, and special operations
platforms.
The MH-60 Pave Hawk is operated by the
Air Force Special Operations Command, a component of the U.S.
Special Operations Command. Received in 1982, it's primary
wartime missions are infiltration, exfiltration and resupply of
special operations forces in day, night or marginal weather
conditions. Other missions include combat search and rescue.
During Desert Storm, Pave Hawks provided combat recovery for
coalition air forces in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the
Persian Gulf. They also provided emergency evacuation coverage
for U.S. Navy sea, air and land (SEAL) teams penetrating the
Kuwait coast before the invasion.
The Navy designated it the SH-60B
Seahawk when it began receiving them in 1983. It uses them
in an anti-submarine role. They are assigned to cruisers,
destroyers, and frigates to deploy sonobouys (sonic detectors)
and torpedoes. The Coast Guard's HH-60J Jayhawk, are
equipped with a rescue hoist with a 250 foot (75 meter) cable
that has a 600 pound (270 kg) lift capability, and a retractable
in-flight refueling probe. The Hawks have proven so
reliable that the President has one too.